Deathbed Manifesto
Somebody posted a link on our Facebook page to an article about the “Top 5 deathbed regrets” confided to nurses. The regrets were:
1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
2. I wish I didn’t work so hard.
3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.
Should we not snatch up this data – this existential feedback loop – and live accordingly?
The Deathbed Manifesto would have us live freely, idly, honestly, gregariously, and without cognitive dissonance. I think these commandments are very compatible with the life of the Escapologist.
Even if we don’t embrace this whole-heartedly, it’s probably worth thinking about our own deathbed regrets should we have to confide them to a nurse today.
I think mine would be simultaneously that I didn’t idle thoroughly enough (I’m all too often torn away from deep idling by guilt or obligation) and also that I didn’t achieve enough (my total sum of tangible project results are not numerous or excellent enough to justify all the fretting I do about them). Contradictory? Not really. I just need to throw myself into what I’m doing more thoroughly, whether idling or creating.
What about you? What would be your deathbed regrets of today?
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About Robert Wringham
Robert Wringham is the editor of New Escapologist. He also writes books and articles. Read more at wringham.co.uk
This is really great, Rob. Really really great.
Death is the most powerful truth machine in existence.
While I will not divulge here what my deathbed regrets today would be, your post has me thinking about them and I hope I may act on them in some fashion.
(yes, I am still alive…expect an e-mail from me soon…)
PLB! Your website is stunning, my friend.
“Death is the most powerful truth machine in existence.”
I suggest you process this with a truth machine and completely amend your statement.
A corollary to #2 on the list:
Nobody on their deathbed ever said, “I wish I had spent more time at the office.”
I love your Web site — it puts mine to shame, but I love your site anyway. 😉
Thanks for stopping by, Larry. And your site looks good! Is that Twentieth Century MT you’re using as a header font? Part of my favourite typeface family.